Combustion control device



Feb. 20, 1945. w J W|LLENBORG 2,369,698

COMBUSTION CONTROL DEVICE Filed May 29, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet l 1945- w. J. WILLENBORG COMBUSTION CONTROL DEVICE Filed May 29, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 COMBUSTION CONTROL DEVICE Filed May 29, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 20, 1945 w. J. WILLENBO RG COMBUSTION CONTROL DEVICE Filed May 29, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 27m" L7. WU/Pnbbrg Patented Feb. 20, 1945 COMBUSTION CONTROL DEVICE Walter J. Willenbora', Weehawken, N. J., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Walter Kiddo &

Company, Inc., Belleville, N. L,

of New York a corporation Application May 29, 1940, Serial No. 337,771

(Cl. Rib-119) 15 Claim.

This invention relates to carburetion and particularly to the provision of a control device operable to automatically regulate carburetion so as to maintain proper or predetermined combustion prerequisites.

Combustion control is especially desirable in the production of high quality inert gas, and this invention has as one of its objects to provide a combustion control device for inert gas producers of the type wherein carburetion affects the quality of the combustion gases produced.

It has been a general custom in the past to utilize the exhaust gases of internal combustion engines as a source of gas for inert use. Certain characteristics in the exhaust gas of a producer of this type necessarily have to be maintained for the production of an inert gas having high standards of quality. Inasmuch as the quality of the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine frequently varies due to diil'erences in combustion characteristics of the fuel fed to the engine, the fuel-air ratio of the combustible mixture must be closely regulated.

Heretofore such variations from the desired exhaust gas quality were indicated through the use of a gas analyzing unit to which samples of the engine exhaust gas were conveyed, and regulatiOn of the fuel-air ratio efiected manually by carburetor adjustment whenever the characteristics of the exhaust gas indicated too lean or too rich 2. fuel mixture for a predetermined exhaust gas analysis.

While such manual regulation of the fuel-air ratio of the combustible mixture in a manner determined by the gas analyzer was eilective to produce changes in the quality of the exhaust as produced by the engine, it i obvious that such a system required constant attention by a skilled worker, and was further objectionable because of the fact that fine adjustments of the fuel-air ratio were impossible.

With this objection to past practices in view, it is an object of the present invention to provide a control for automatically regulating the fuel-air ratio of the combustible mixture fed to an inert gas producer so as to produce an exhaust gas of substantially uniform quality.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of a control device for regulating carburetion of an inert gas producer, and which is particularly well suited for use with a producer of the internal combustion engine type.

A further object of this invention is to provide a control for automatically regulating the rue-air ratio of the combustible mixture ted to an internal combustion engine in accordance with changes in exhaust gas analysis to compensate for such change and thereby maintain proper carburetion at all times.

It is a further object or this invention to provide a control for an inert gas producer of the character described, which employs an electrical gas analyzer and electrically operated control instrumentalities responsive to fluctuations in the flow of current in the gas analyzer upon change in gas analysis to efiect adjustment of the fuel-air ratio of the combustible mixture fed to the engine.

Another object of this invention is to provide an inert gas producer of the character described with intermittently and momentarily operated mechanism responsive to changes in the quality of the exhaust gas for adjusting the fuel-air ratio of the combustible mixture fed to the engine so that such adjustment is produced gradually.

A further object of the present invention is to provide the carburetor of an internal combustion engine with unitary adjusting mechanism automatically actuated by electrical control instrumentalities responsive to variations in the quality of the exhaust gas produced by the engine and indicated in an electric gas analyzer.

Another object of this invention is to provide an inert gas producer of the character described with carburetor adjusting mechanism which may be actuated automatically in response to changes in the quality of the exhaust gas produced by the engine or manually independently of said automatic means.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an inert gas producer of the character described with carburetor adjusting means responsive to changes in the quality of exhaust gas produced by the engine and indicated by an electric gas analyzer, which adjusting means is operable independently of the gas analyzer upon failure thereof to effect continued adjustment of the fuel-air mixture toward lean and subsequently cause failure of the engine.

A further object of this invention is to provide an automatic control of the character described with signal means to indicate failure of the englue or of the control system.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the hereindisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate two complete examples of the physical embodiment of the invention constructed in accordance with the best modes so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 diagrammatically illustrates the control means of this invention;

Figure 2 is an elevational view of a portion of the adjusting mechanism shown connected to the adjusting element of the carburetor with portions thereof broken away and in section;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view through the carburetor adjusting mechanism taken on the plane of the line 3--3 in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view further illustrating the details of the carburetor adjusting mechanism and taken on the line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a wiring diagram illustrating the circuits and electrical instrumentalities employed for actuating the carburetor adjusting mechanism; and

Figure 6 is aview similar to Figure 5 illustrating a. slightly modified control.

Referring now particularly to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to Figure 1, the numeral designates an inert gas producer of the internal combustion engine type. The engine is provided with the customary carburetor H which mixes fuel from a suitable source of supply, not shown, with air to form a combustible mixture which is delivered to the cylinders of the engine through an intake manifold 2.

The exhaust gas produced by the engine is conveyed from the exhaust manifold through a duct 3 to any suitable storage means or to a purifying apparatus, not shown.

To regulate combustion the carburetor is provided with a needle valve I4 threadedly received in a tapped hole at the bottom of the carburetor and with its needle point Is arranged to adjustably restrict the fuel passage l1 leading to the jet of the carburetor.

The needle valve l4 projects from the bottom of the carburetor and is drivingly connected to a vertical shaft I 8 through a coupling l9. Hence, rotation of the shaft is transmitted to the needle valve to either propel its needle point to a position further restricting the passage I! or to retract the needle point allowing more fuel to flow through the fuel passage.

The vertical shaft |8 is drivingly connected with the operating shaft of the carburetor adjusting mechanism 2| of this invention through bevel gears 22 and 23 on the vertical shaft and operating shaft respectively.

The operating shaft 20 of the adjusting mechanism 2| is rotated to effect adjustment of the needle valve of the-carburetor at the dictation of a transmitter 24 (Figure 1) which operates in response to the quality of the exhaust gas being produced by the engine to regulate and adjust the fuel-air ratio of the combustible mixture fed to the engine in accordance quality of the exhaust gas.

An electrically operated gas analyzer 25 forms a part of the transmitter and continuously receives a sample of the exhaust gas produced by the engine through a duct 26 communicating with the exhaust duct l3. If desired a filter or condenser 21 may be interposed in the duct 26 to eliminate water vapor contained in the exhaust gas.

with variations in the The manner in which variations in the quality 01' the exhaust gas produced operates the transmitter to effect rotation of the operating shaft 20 of the adjusting mechanism will be hereinafter more fully described.

From the description thus far, it is seen that this invention employs mechanical adjusting means 2| for the carburetor, and a transmitter or control 24 sensitive to variations in the quality of exhaust gas produced to initiate operation of the mechanical carburetor adjusting means and through rotation of its operating shaft 20, either advance or retract the needle valve ll of the carburetor. It will be apparent, therefore, that the control system may be connected with the carburetor of any internal combustion engine to automatically regulate carburetion and maintain eflicient operating conditions.

Referring now particularly to Figures 2, 3 and 4, which illustrate the construction of the carburetor adjusting mechanism 2| in detail, it is seen that the adjusting mechanism comprises a housing 28 of substantially rectangular shape. The housing may be provided with suitable means, not shown, for fixing the adjusting mechanism either to the engine or to the bench or other engine support. The front and rear walls of the housing provide bearings 29 and 30 respectively for the ends of the operating shaft 20 which freely rotatably support the shaft for rotation with a portion of the shaft inside the housing.

Mounted on the portion of the shaft 20 inside the housing is a pair of ratchet wheels 3| and 32. The ratchet wheels 3| and 32 are provided with central squared holes 33 adapted to fit on a reduced squared portion 34 of the shaft adjacent to its enlarged end 35. A nut 36 received on a threaded portion 31 of the shaft maintains the ratchet wheels on the squared portion 34 and against the shoulder formed at the junction of the enlarged end 35 and the reduced squared portion.

The teeth of the ratchet wheels are opposite to each other, with the teeth of the wheel 3| formed so as to transmit rotation to the shaft 23 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 4, and the teeth of the rachet wheel 32 formed so as to produce rotation of the shaft in an opposite or counterclockwise direction.

Operatively associated with the ratchet wheels 3: and 32 are bars 38 and 39 respectively. The bars are guided for reciprocation vertically alongside the teeth of their respective ratchet wheels in aligned openings in the top wall 40 of the housing and a partition wall 4| extending transversely across the housing substantially medially thereof. Each of the bars 38 and 39 carries a pivoted paw 42 having a portion 43 adapted to engage with the teeth of the ratchet wheels 3| and 32.

The pawls 42 are received in slots 44 in each of the bars and are maintained against pivotal motion in one direction by the engagement of their opposite side edges with shoulders 45 at the opposite ends of the slots. Springs 46 normally hold the pawls against these shoulders so that downward vertical motion of the bar 38 engages the end 43 of its pawl with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 32 and transmits rotation to the operating shaft 20 in a counterclockwise direction (Figure 4).

As is apparent the pawl pivots to clear the ratchet teeth upon return of the bar to its normal position. Likewise, downward motion of the bar aseaeos II from its normal position engages the end 48 of its pawl withtheteeth oftheratchet wheel 8| toturntheoperatingshaftilinaclockwise loch of thebarsll and illsyieldlngly maindirectly below the bars 38 and II respectively provide for actuating the bars and consequently rotating the shaft. For this purpose each of the solenoids has an armature connected to the lower ends of the bars adjacent thereto and operable to pull the bars downwardly upon energization of the solenoids. Consequently, separate energization of the solenoids atthe dictation of the transmitter 14 effects rotation of the operating shaft II and the needle valve of the carburetor to adjust or regulate the fuel-air ratio of the combustible mixture fed to the engine either toward rich or lean in accordance with variations in the quality of exhaust gas produced by the engine and manifested in the transmitter.

The mechanism just described for rotating the operating shaft 20 may b termed a reversible motor inasmuch as it operates to reverse the direction of rotation of the shaft 20 in the manner described.

Inasmuch as a gradual or fine adjusting action for the needle valve is desirable to accurately maintain the quality of the exhaust gas at a predetermined value, the pawls and teeth of the ratchet wheels are proportioned in such a manner that response of the bars to energization of the solenoids eflects a tooth-by-tooth advance of the shaft. The proportions of the bevel gears 22 and 23, as is apparent, also further contribute toward fine adjustment.

In this respect the adjusting mechanism is preferably provided with a friction brake St to preclude accidental rotation of the operating shaft due to vibration. For vthis purpose a substantially strong compression spring 52 is conflned between the flanges of a member 53 adjustable axially on the shaft 20 and a cup-shaped member '4 slidably received on the shaft and having its open end facing the ratchet wheels. A friction material 85 such as felt or any other suitable substance having a high coefficient of friction and disposed between the rim of the cup member and ratchet wheel is maintained tightly engaged with the face of the ratchet wheel 3i through the action of the spring 52.

NormalLv the flanged member 53 is held in engagement with the inner face of the rear wall of the housing but may be adjusted axially toward the ratchet wheels to increase the force applied thereto by screws 56 threaded into the housing rear wall and having shoulders 51 at the junctions of their threaded shanks with reduced end. portions engaging directlywith the face of the flanged member 53.

The electrical instrumentalities and control circuits for effecting energization of the solenoids ll and I! are best illustrated in diagrammatic form in Figure 5. As herein illustrated, the gas analyzer 2' is connected with a source of E; M. F. t, and through conductors 59 and 50 with the current sensitive element of a galvanometer relay ll through a double throw multiple pole switch .2 so that the exhaust gas analyzer regulates current flow fromthe source of E. M. I". to the galvanometer relay in accordance with variations in the quality of exhaust gas produced by the engine,

Thus, variation in the quality of the exhaust gas effects swinging of the movable contactor 63 of the galvanometer relay either to one position or another engaging one of its stationary con-' tacts B4 or ID.

The movable contactor 63 of the galvanometer relay is electrically connected with a supply line .Ll by means of a conductor 8| and upon swinging into engagement with the stationary contact M completes a circuit to the other supply line L! -through a conductor 81 and the coil of an intermediate relay 68 energizing the same and effecting closure of its switch 88.

Engagement of the movable contactor 63 of the galvanometer relay with its stationary contact 85 completes a circuit from supply line L! to supply line L2 through a conductor 10 and the coil of another intermediate relay H to cause closure of its switch 12.

Upon fluctuation of current flow to the galvanometer relay caused by a change in quality of the. gas passing through the analyzer 25 and indicating too lean a fuel mixture being fed to the engine, the galvanometer relay contactor 83 is caused to engage its stationary contact 64 to close the relay switch 69 and complete an energizing circuit for the solenoid 49 of the carburetor adjusting mechanism which thereupon actuates the same as described and adjusts the needle valve of the carburetor in a direction to permit an increased amount of fuel to flow through the passage ll thereof.

Change in the exhaust gas quality indicating too rich a fuel mixture being fed to the engine effects engagement of the galvanometer relay contactor 63 with the stationary contact 65 to close the relay switch 12 and complete an energizing circuit for the solenoid 48 which thereupon actuates the adjusting mechanism 2| in the opposite direction and adjusts the needle valve of the carburetor in a direction to reduce the flow of fuel through the fuel passage H.

The energizing circuit for the solenoid 49 is completed from one side of the secondary 13 of a transformer 14 whose primary is energized from the supply lines Li and L2, through a conductor I5, through the coil 49, onto a conductor ll, through the relay switch 69 and to the other side of the secondary through a conductor 11.

The energizing circuit for the solenoid ll is also from one side of the transformer secondary 13, through the common lead 15 and the solenoid coil 48, onto a conductor 18, through the switch 12 of the relay H and to the other side of the transformer secondary through the conductor 11.

Due to the fact that energization of either solenoid to correct the fuel-air ratio moves the operating shaft only one tooth of the ratchet wheels, reset means having a cam operated time switch I9 is employed to effect successive energization of the solenoids for continuing adjusting motion of the needle valve.

The intermittent operation of the switch ll controls energization of an electromagnet I positioned to influence the movable contactor 83 of the galvanometer relay. Consequently, intermittent energization of the electromagnet disengages the movable contactor 63 of the galvanometer relay from engagement with either of its stationary contacts for an interval of time sufficient to permit the actuated solenoid bar to return to its normal upwardly projected position for repeated actuation of the same.

The cam may be driven by any suitable means, such as a Telechron-motor, or the cam shaft of the engine. The electromagnet coil has one end connectible with line Ll through a conductor 8! and switch 19, and its other end connected directly with the other supply line L2 by means of a conductor 82.

Upon continuance of a condition for which the galvanometer relay is operated to initiate func-- tioning of the adjusting mechanism 2|, therefore, either one or the other of the solenoids produces rotation of the shaft in a gradual tooth-by-tooth advance until the fuel-air ratio is corrected.

By utilizing relay means, such as the galvanometer relay 63 and the intermediate relays 68 and I l, the relatively small input energysupplied to the galvanometer relay 63 is amplified to facilitate operation of switches 69 and 12 serving as control means for the reversible motor. In this manner the relay means serve as an amplifier for the control means.

During normal operation of the system, when the exhaust gas produced by the engine is of the desired quality the contactor 63 of the galvanometer' relay will automatically float in its neutral position between its stationary contactsmain taining the adjusting mechanism 28 out of operation.

As will be readily appreciated, when the control system is used merely to regulate the carburetion of an internal combustion engine of any type, the movable contactor 63 of the galvanometer relay is biased to fioat between its stationary contacts so that failure of any part of the system in no way aifects operation of the engine.

In the event of failure of the gas analyzer when the system is used with an inert gas producing engine, however, it is desirable to automatically stop the engine, and in this instance the movable contactor 63 of the galvanometer relay is normally balanced to engage its stationary contact 65 and complete the energizing circuit to the solenoid 48,

Inasmuch as the intermittent energization of the solenoid 48 which results turns the carburetor needle valve to increasingly restrict the flow of fuel to the carburetor, it is apparent that the engine will eventually fail from lack of fuel.

Upon such failure of the gas analyzer the continued rotation of the operating shaft 20 in a counterclockwise direction effects closure of a limit switch 83 to connect a signal 84 across the lines LI and L2.

As clearly illustrated in Figure 2', the switch 88 is actuated to closed and opened position by the indicator 85 of a manual control knob 86 fixed -to the enlarged end 35 of the operating shaft exteriorly of the housing 28.

The double throw switch 62 is employed to V disconnect the galvanometer relay 6| from the electrically energized gas analyzer and for connecting a galvanometer 81 with the gas analyzer to check the current reading corresponding to any particular exhaust gas analysis.

It is also preferable that the common return lead '11 of the solenoid energizing circuits be interrupted'and controlled by the double throw switch 62 as shown. In this manner actuation of the adjusting mechanism 2| is prevented upon throwing of the switch to test the amount of current flowing in the analyzer.

If desired, a switch 88 in the lead line TI, normally maintained closed by a function of the engine in operation, may be utilized as a safety control to disrupt the energizing circuit for the solenoids 48 and 49 upon failure of the engine. This switch 88 may be of the conventional oil pressure type or may be actuated by air pressure, vacuum, or the like.

Adjustment of the needle valve in response to a continued demand for a richer mixture in the event of failure of thesystem is positively limited by the engagement of the indicator with a stationary stop 89 fixed on the exterior of the housing and so located as to permit normal ad- .iustment of the fuel-air mixture toward rich.

The location of the manual control knob 88 also conveniently provides a manual-adjustment for the needle valve of the carburetor independe/ ently of the electrical control system as will be readily apparent.

The operation of the modified control system illustrated in Figure 6 is identical with that illustrated in Figure 5 with the exception that the gas analyzer is provided with an alternate source of E. M. F. As herein illustrated, a bridge rectifier 90 is connected to the supply lines LI and L2 through a transformer 9i.

Thus the gas analyzer regulates current flow from the bridge rectifier to the galvanometer relay Si in accordance with variations in the quality of the exhaust gas produced by the englue to effect response of the galvanometer' relay either in one direction or the other as in the preceding embodiment.

In the event of failure of the bridge rectifier, however, a storage battery 92 is automatically connected with the gas analyzer 25 and the galvanometer relay 6|. The storage battery 92 is normally maintained disconnected by a shunt block 93 connected between the battery and bridge rectifier terminals.

In this form of the invention two double throw, double pole switches 94 and 95 are utilized to selectively operate under normal conditions, connect the galvanometer 81 in circuit with the gas analyzer for testing the direction of current in the same, and connect the galvanometer 81 with the bridge rectifier or the battery to test the current to the gas analyzer,

As will "be readily apparent, the switches 84 and 95- are shown in position for normal operation of the system. The switch 95, as in the previous embodiment, controls the energizing circuit to each of the solenoids 48 and 48. Upon throwing of the switch 95 to its other position, the galvanometer 81 is placed in circuit with the gas analyzer for testing the direction of current flow in the analyzer, as may be clearly traced in the diagram. In this position of the switch 95 it is to be noted that the energizing circuit of the solenoids 48 and 49 is broken to prevent operation of the adjusting mechanism.

When the switch 95 is in this thrown position just described and the switch 94 is moved to its I for calibrating purposes.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be readily apparent that this invention affords a completely automatic and efiicient control for regulating the carburetor of an inert gas producer oi the internal combustion engine type to produce uniform quality inert gas.

While the control system described is valuable to maintain the quality of exhaust gas produced by an internal combustion engine type inert gas producer at a predetermined value, it is obvious that the control is also useful to regulate the fuel-air ratio 01! the mixture fed. to the engine of any engine powered vehicle so as to eillciently operate the same. when the control is used for this purpose, a galvanometer relay having its movable contactor biased to float" between its stationary contacts is employed so that failure of the analyzer does not result in stopping of the engine. The signal for indicating failure of the engine also is unnecessary in this instance.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In an inert gas producer of the internal combustion engine type having a carburetor provided with means for adjusting the fuel-air ratio of the combustible mixture fed to the engine: a source of E. M. E; a galvanometer relay; an exhaust gas analyzer; means connecting the galvanometer relay with the source of E. M. F. through the exhaust gas analyzer, said exhaust gas analyzer regulating current flow from the source of E. M. F. to the galvanometer relay in accordance with variations in the quality of exhaust gas produced by the engine to eifect response of the galvanometer relay in one direction when the quality of the exhaust gas indicates too lean a mixture of fuel being fed to the engine and in the other direction when the quality of the exhaust gas indicates too rich a mixture of fuel being fed to the engine; electrically controlled instrumentalities drivingly connected with said carburetor adjusting means and rendered operative by the galvanometer relay upon such change in the quality of the exhaust gas for effecting adjustment-of the carburetor to thereby correct the fuel-air ratio of the mixture'fed to the engine; and means for intermittently and momentarily rendering the galvanomet relay ineffective so that adjustment of the carburetor is effected gradually.

2. In an inert gas producer of the internal combustion engine type having a carburetor provided with mechanism for adjusting the same either toward lean or rich mixture: means operable to actuate the adjusting mechanism either in one direction or the other including a pair of electroresponsive elements; an energizing circuit for each of said electroresponsive elements; a galvanometer relay for controlling said circuits, said galvanometer relay having a pair of stationary contacts, and a movable contactor operable to swing from a neutral position between said stationary contacts into engagement with one or the other thereof to complete the energizing circuit to one of said electroresponsive elements; an electrically energized gas analyzer connected to receive exhaust gas from the engine; means electrically connecting the galvanorneter relay with'the gas analyzer whereby variation in the quality of the exhaust gas flowing through the analyzer either above or below a predetermined value affects the current flow to the galvanometer relay and effects response of the same in one direction or the other so as to complete the energizing circuit to the electroresponsive element which actuates the adjusting mechanism in a direction to compensate for such variation; and means for intermittently and momentarily disrupting the energizing circuits for the electroresponsive elements, said last named means assurwas;

3. In an inert gas producer of the internal combustion engine type having a carburetor provided with mechanism for adjusting the same either toward lean or rich mixture: means operable'to actuate the adjusting mechanism either in one direction or the other including a pair of electroresponsive elements; an energizing circuit for each of said electroresponsive elements, a galvanomet'er relay for controlling said circuits, said galvanometer relay having a pair of stationary contacts, and a movable contactor operable to swing from a neutral position between said stationary contacts into engagement with one or the other thereof to complete the energizing circuit to one or said electroresponsive elements; an electrically energized gas analyzer connected to receive exhaust gas from the engine; means electrically connecting the galvanometer relay with the gas analyzer whereby variation .in the quality of the exhaust gas flowing through the analyzer either above or below a predetermined value affects the current flow to the galvanometer relay and effects response of the same in one direction or the other so as to complete the energizing circuit to the electroresponsive element which actuates the adjusting mechanism in a direction to compensate for such variation; means for intermittently and momentarily disrupting the energizingcircuits for the electroresponsive elements, said last named means assuring a gradual adjustment of the fuel-air mixture; and said movable contactor of the galvanometer relay bein balanced to engage one of said stationary contacts upon failure of the gas analyzer to thereby complete the energizing circuit to the electroresponsive element which operates to adjust the car buretor toward lean mixture.

4. In an inert gas producer of the internal combustion engine type having a carburetor provided with mechanism for adjusting the same either toward lean or rich mixture: means operable to actuate the djusting mechanism either in one direction or the other including a pair of electroresponsive elements; an energizing circuit for each of said electroresponsive elements; a galvanometer relay for controllin said circuits, said galvanometer relay having a pair of stationary contacts, and a movable contactor operabl to swing from a neutral position between said stationary contacts into engagement with one or the other thereof to complete the energizing circuit to One of said electroresponsive elements; an electrically energized gas analyzer connected to receive exhaust gas from the engine; means electrically connecting the galvanometer relay with the gas analyzer whereby variation in the quality of the exhaust gas flowing through the analyzer either above or below a predetermined value affects the current flow to the galvanometer relay and effects response of the same in one direction or the other so as to complete the energizing circuit to the electroresponsive element which actuates the adjusting mechanism in a direction to compensate for such variation; means for intermittently and momentarily disrupting the energizing circuits for the electroresponsive elements, said last named means assuring a gradual adjustment of the fuel-air mixture; and switch means connected in the energizing circuit for said electroresponsive elements maintained operative by a function of the engine when in operation and 'adapted to open upon failure of the engine to disconnect the electroresponsive element from their source of E. M. F.

5. In an inert gas producer of the type having means for regulating the fuel-air ratio of the combustible mixture fed to the producer, said means being movable in one direction to regulate the fuel-air ratio toward lean mixture and in the opposite direction to regulate the fuel-air ratio toward rich mixture: an electroresponsive element operable upon energization to actuate the regulating means toward lean mixture; another electroresponsive element operable upon energization to actuate the regulating means in the opposite direction toward rich mixture: actuating means for said electroresponsive elements responsive to the variations in the quality of the gas issuing from the producer for automatically effectin energization of one or the other of said electroresponsive elements, said actuating means effecting energization of the electroresponsive element which actuates the regulating means toward lean mixture when the quality of the gas produced indicates too rich a mixture, and eiTecting energizetion of the electroresponsive element which actuates the regulating means toward rich mixture when the quality of the gas produced indicates too lean a mixture; and means for intermittently and momentarily efiecting deenergization of said electroresponsive elements to assure gradual stepby-step regulation of the iuel-air ratio.

6. In an inert gas producer of the type having means for regulating the fuel-air ratio of the combustible mixture fed to the producer: means for actuating the fuel-air ratio regulator including a member connected with the regulator and movable in opposite directions to effect adjust ment of the fuel-air ratio either toward lean or rich mixture; means for imparting movement to said movable member, said means comprising a pair of electroresponsive elements, energization of one of said electroresponsive elements eifecting movement of the movable member of the actuating means in a direction to adjust the fuel-air ratio toward lean mixture, and energization of the other of said electroresponsive elements effecting movement of the movable member of the actuating means in a direction to adjust the fuelair ratio toward rich mixture; automatic electrical means including a gas analyzing unit for analyzing gas issuing from the producer, and a control instrument governed by the gas analyzing unit for efiecting energization of one or the other of said electroresponsive elements, said gas analyzing unit maintaining the control instrument in a condition precluding energization of either electroresponsive element when the gas produced is determined by the gas analyzing unit to be at the desired quality, said control instrument being responsive to the gas analyzing unit to eiTect energization of the second-named electroresponsive element by which the fuel-air ratio is adjusted toward rich mixture when the quality of the gas produced is determined by the gas analyzing unit to be the result of too lean a fuelair mixture, said control instrument being arranged to effect energization of said first-named electroresponsive element by which the fuel-air ratio is adjusted toward lean mixture in the event of failure of the gas analyzing unit to govern the control instrument; and means for effecting intermittent deenergization of either of the electroresponsive elements, said means cooperating with the control instrument to effect progressive weakening of the fuel-air mixture to subsequently cause failure of the producer in the event of failure of the gas analyzing unit to govern the control instrument.

7. In an inert gas producer of the type having means for regulating the fuel-air ratio of the combustible mixture fed to the producer: means for actuating the fuel-air ratio regulator including a member connected with the regulator and movable in opposite directions to effect adjustment or the fuel-air ratio either toward lean or rich mixture; means for imparting movement to said movable member, said means comprising a pair of electroresponsive elements, energization of one of said electroresponsive elements eifecting movement of the movable member of the actuating means in a direction to adjust the fuelair ratio toward lean mixture and energization of the other of said electroresponsive elements effecting movement of the movable member of the actuating means in a direction to adjust the fuel-air ratio toward rich mixture; automatic electrical means having a control instrument responsive to change in quality of the gas issuing from the producer for effecting energlzation of said first-named electroresponsive element when the quality of produced gas indicates too rich a mixture and effecting energization of the secondnamed electroresponsive element when the quality of the produced gas indicates too lean a mixture, said automatic means including a gas analyzing unit for manifesting such changes of produced gas quality in the control instrument; means cooperating with said control instrument to efiect repeated energization of the first-named electroresponsive element by which the fuel-air ratio is adjusted toward lean mixture in the event of failure of the gas analyzing unit for progressively weakening the fuel mixture to thereby subsequently cause failure of the producer; and a signal rendered operative by the motion of the movable member of the actuating means during such repeated energization of the first-named electroresponsive element for indicating failure of the system.

8. In an inert gas producer having means for regulating the fuel-air ratio of the combustible mixture fed to the producer either toward lean or rich mixture: means operable to actuate the regulating means either in one direction or the other including a pair of electroresponsive elements; an energizing circuit for each of said electroresponsive elements; an electrical control instrument for controlling said circuits; an electrically energized gas analyzing unit for analyzing gas issuing from the producer; means electrically connecting the control instrument with the gas analyzing unit whereby variation in the quality of the produced gas received by the analyzing unit either above or below a predetermined value afiects the current flow to the control instrument and efiects response thereof in a manner to complete the energizing circuit to one or the other of the electroresponsive elements which operates to actuate the regulating means in a direction to compensate for such variation in the quality of the gas produced; and means for intermittently disrupting the energizing circuits for the electroresponsive elements, said lastnamed means assuring a gradual step-by-step adjustment in the fuel-air ratio of the combustible mixture fed to the producer.

9. In an inert gas producer having means for regulating the fuel-air ratio of the combustible mixture fed to the producer either toward lean or rich mixture; means operable to actuate the regulating means either in one direction or the other including a pair of electroresponsive elements; an energizing circuit for each of said electrorespo'nsive elements; an electric control instrument for controlling said circuits; a gas analyzing unit for analyzing gas issuing from the producer including a rectifier providing 'a source of current for the gas analyzing unit, an auxiliary current source supplementary torthe rectifier, and means for automatically connecting the auxiliary current source with the analyzing unit in the event of failure of the rectifier, said means maintaining the auxiliary current source disconnected from the gas analyzing unit at all other times; means electrically connecting the control instrument with the gas analyzing unit whereby variation of the quality of the produced gas received by the unit either above or below a predetermined value affects the current flow to the control instrument and effects response thereof in a manner to complete the energizing circuit to one or the other of the electroresponsive elements which operates to actuate the regulatlng means in a direction to compensate for such variation in the quality of the gas produced; and means for intermittently disrupting the energizing circuits for the electroresponsive elements, said last-named means assuring a gradual step-by-step adjustment of the fuel-air mixture fed to the producer.

10. In an inert gas producer of the type wherein the ratio of the fuel-air mixture resulting from carburetion determines the quality of the inert gas produced, means for controlling carburetion so as to enable production of an inert gas of uniform high quality comprising: carburetion regulating means including a control ele-' ment movable in opposite directions to regulate the fuel-air ratio toward lean and rich mixture; electro-responsive means operable by and in accordance with produced gas analysis for effecting movement of said control element in a direction to render the mixture leaner when analysis of the produced gas indicates too rich a mixture for the production of a predetermined high quality inert gas and for effecting movement of said control element in the opposite direction to render the mixture richer when analysis of the produced gas indicates too lean a mixture for the.produc tion of a predetermined high quality inert gas; and means for intermittently and momentarily rendering said electro-responsive means ineffective so that regulation of carburetion is accomplished in a gradual step-by-step manner.

11. An automatic fuel mixture control system comprising an exhaust gas analyzer, an amplifier, a reversible motor and a mixture control unit, said unit having a rotatable shaft through which fuel mixture may be varied, said exhaust gas analyzer including an electrical element through which currents flow when the exhaust gas varies in analysis from a determined standard, said electrical element being connected to the input of said amplifier, control means in the output of said amplifier for governing the operation and th direction of operation of said reversible motor, connections between said shaft and sa d motor, and means in circuit with said motor to periodically interrupt the operation thereof during rotation of said shaft in response to current flowing through said electrical element in accordance with variations of said gas analysis-from the determined standard.

12. An automatic mixture control system comprisin an exhaust gas analyzer circuit of the type in which variations from a known exhaust gas composition result in the flow of an electrical current of value varying in accordance with the departure of the exhaust gas composition from a determined standard, a reversible motor, a mixture control shaft rotatable by said motor, means included in said analyzer circuit for causing said motor to operate directionally to change the fuel mixture in response to deviation from the determined standard condition, and thus restore the exhaust gas composition to the determined standard, and means in the motor circuit to periodically interrupt said circuit independently of the gas composition condition then prevailing.

13. An automatic mixture control system for regulating the'fuelair ratio of a combustible mixture fed to a combustion chamber comprising: a mixture control unit for supplying the combustion chamber with an admixture of fuel and air and by which the proportions of fuel and air are accurately determined and regulated; a source of E. M. F.; an exhaust gas analyzer connected with said source of E. M. F., said analyzer being of the type in which variation from a known exhaust gas composition results inthe fiow of an electrical current in the analyzer of value varying in accordance with the departure of the exhaust'gas composition from a determined standard; a reversible motor drivingly connected with the mixture control unit to effect opposite variations in the proportions of fuel and air flowin through the mixture control unit to the combustion chamber; means actuated by current flow in the analyzer as a result of change in exhaust gas composition from the desired standard for effecting operation of the motor in a direction tending to restore the composition of the exhaust gas to the desired standard by reproportioning the quantities of fuel and air fed through the mixture control unit to the combustion chamber; and means for intermittently deenergizing the electric motor so that any change in the fuel-air ratio brought about by adjustment of the mixture control unit is effected gradually.

14. An automatic control system for regulating combustion in an internal combustion engine comprising: a carburetor for th engine for mixing the fuel and air supplied to the engine, said carburetor havin an adjusting element for varying the fuel-air ratio of the combustible mixture fed to the engine; a reversible electric motor drivingly connected with the adjusting element of the carburetor to effect opposite variation -in the proportions of fuel and air mixed by the carburetor and fed to the engine; an exhaust gas analyzer of the type in which variation from a known exhaust gas composition results in the flow of an electrical current in the analyzer of a value varying in accordance with the departure of the exhaust gas composition from a predetermined standard; electrically controlled instrumentalities connectedwith the exhaust gas analyzer so as to be governed by current flow therein for causing the motor to operate directionally so as to effect changes in the fuel-air mixture in response 'to deviation from the predetermined exhaust gas composition and thus restor the exhaust gas composition to the predetermined standard; and means for intermittently deenergizing the electric motor so that any change in the fuel-air ratio brought about by automatic adjustment of the carburetor is effected radually.

15. An automatic fuel mixture control system comprising an exhaust gas analyzer, rela means, a reversible motor and a mixture control unit, said unit having a rotatable shaft through which fuel mixture may be varied, said exhaust gas analyzer including an electrical element through which currents flow when the exhaust gas varies in analysis from a determined standard, said electrical element being connected to said relay means, control means associated with said relay means for governing the operation and the direction of operation of said reversible motor, connec tions between said shaft and said motor, and

means in circuit with said motor to periodically interrupt the operation thereof during rotation of said shaft in response to current flowing through said electrical element in accordance with variations of said gas analysis from the determined standard.

WALTER J. WILIENBORG. 

